Chinese UAV/UCAV development
- Thread starter AssassinsMace
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China cannot into flat nozzle
I think you a word
But in all seriousness the lack of a stealthy nozzle (technically exhaust I think, there is a difference) may not be reflective of a lack of capability. Engine power, convenience for a demonstrator, convenience for the engine, etc are arguably more probable causes. A flat and stealthy exhaust isn't exactly new pioneering technology, considering when B-2 and F-117 came out.
Size limitations.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
RD-93 engine looks beyond terrible but in time they should install a stealthy engine, China was a decade behind the F22 Raptor but in terms of the UCAV project China is neck and neck, well X-47 is ahead but you know what I mean
I do not think the PRC is "neck and neck" with the US on a X-47B-like UCAV at all. Look at the last ten years with the Predators, Reapers, Global Hawk, and so many others. All of these are battle/combat proven and have been operational for years. That's a lot of accumulated knowledge in design and operations and all of the components that go into that.
I believe the PRC has designed and built a prototype that looks a lot like the X-47B...but even then, the finer characteristics just are not there...which means that the engines, avionics, controls, etc. are probably also equally lacking when compared.
No, I believe the US will have an operational, stealthy, and very capable recon/surveil/patrol/stike UCAV operating off of their carriers in the 2020 time frame.
If the PLAN does this at all wiith anything as sophistiaceted, I expect it is going to be five years later at the least, and probably more like 7-8 years. And that is if they do it at all, that is, having anything equal to the X-47B launching from and landing on carriers for the PLAN.
There is no dounbt they will launch other, much less sophisticated UAVs off of their vessels, but the US has been doing that for almost 20 years.
So, no "knock" against the PRC or the PLAN. They are doing amazing things...and many of them faster than most analysts thought. In this area, they simply do not have the components together to make it work at this point. Heck, they haven't cat alunched any type of aircraft off of a carrier yet. They will not be able to match the performance and weight, and combat radius of this UCAV with the load it can carry until they do...and that itself is several years away.
escobar
Brigadier
I think what he meant is that in regard to UAV the gap between US and china is not too large...
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Yes I agree I didn't mean to add in neck and neck I couldn't be borthered to delete my comment so just finished off by assuming everyone would know it wasn't really a statement, my bad
I was more thinking that the gap between the generations is narrowing, F22 was about 10 yeas for UCAV it will be smaller
I was more thinking that the gap between the generations is narrowing, F22 was about 10 yeas for UCAV it will be smaller
In any case I think china is neck in neck with Europe and definitely Russia in terms of UAVs and UCAVs.
Sure neuron took to the skies probably what will end up being a half year ahead of sharp sword, but the sheer number of other UAVs the Chinese industry are developing and the quality and the stage they are at is something to behold.
Of course Europe has some more experience operating advanced UAVs but they're mostly purchased from US or Israel
Sure neuron took to the skies probably what will end up being a half year ahead of sharp sword, but the sheer number of other UAVs the Chinese industry are developing and the quality and the stage they are at is something to behold.
Of course Europe has some more experience operating advanced UAVs but they're mostly purchased from US or Israel
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